Quick filling for hydraulic fluid systems



March. 17, 1959 E. c. CHASSER 2,377,794

4 QUICK FILLING FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID SYSTEM S Filed Dec. '7, 1955 6 ERNEST C. CHASSER ATTORNEY Unite QUICK FILLING FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID SYSTEMS Application December 7, 1955, Serial No. 551,647

Claims. (Cl. 137-563) This invention relates to the field of hydraulic pressure devices, and in particular has reference to prefilling devices operative to rapidly fill the fluid reservoir of a hydraulic ram, for example.

In the past, it has been long known that a mechanical advantage can be obtained by the use of air hydraulic pumps, which utilize a source of compressed air to pressurize a hydraulic medium such as oil, so that the same has a relatively high pressure upon leaving the pump. It has been found that while such devices operate perfectly satisfactorily in operating several hydraulic devices such as hydraulic rams, etc., that the build-up or fill-up time required is unnecessarily long, in view of the fact that the air hydraulic pumps currently produced on the market are not capable of dispensing hydraulic fluid at other than high pressures.

It has been discovered that if a prefilling device is interposed between the air hydraulic pump and a hydraulic ram, for example, that improved results will occur, in view of the fact that the quick filling device will utilize a by-pass arrangement, wherein low pressure oil is rapidly delivered to the hydraulic ram to cause prefilling of the same. It has been further found that if such a quick filling device is equipped with automatic switching means that operate to terminate the flow therethrough of low pressure fluid and cause the entrance of high pressure fluid from the powermatic pump, that application of high pressure in the ram will begin immediately upon the conclusion of such switching operation, with the result that the overall time required to accumulate high working pressure in the ram is materially reduced by the use of such a quick filling device.

As a still further feature, it has been found that if the switching of the quick filling device is controlled by a source of pressurized air for example, that the quick filling device can be easily and quickly interposed between the pump and the ram, with the result that the same source of air pressure can be utilized to actuate the quick filling device as is used to actuate the pump.

It accordingly becomes an object of this invention to provide an improved type of quick filling device capable of insertion between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic ram that operates to materially reduce the time required to fill the hydraulic ram with the required hydraulic fluid necessary to cause pressurized operation of the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a quick filling device of the character described that has the operation thereof controlled by a source of pressurized air normally employed in connection with a pump.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a quick filling device for interpositioning between the pump and pressure outlet of a hydraulic fluid system that is characterized by automatic operation, wherein the flow of low pressure fluid through the quick filling device is .more apparent upon a reading of the following brief States Patent 0 2,877,794 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 specification, considered and interpreted in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view schematically illustrating the component parts of a hydraulic fluid system utilizing the quick filling device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view, partly broken away and in section and taken approximately on the lines 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical elevation taken on the lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view taken on the lines 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1 thereof, the improved quick filling device, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown interposed between an air-hydraulic pump 11 and a hydraulic ram 12 so as to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from a reservoir 13 to ram 12 upon the use of air supplied from a compressor 14, as will be described.

Considering first the structure of the pump 11, it is to be noted that the same is of the type wherein low pressure fluid is taken in from line 20 for high pressure emission through line 21, with such pressurizing occurring interiorly of the pump 11 as a result of air being introduced at the top portion thereof through line 22, with valve 23 controlling the entrance of such air.

While several commercially acceptable forms of airhydraulic pumps may have their operation improved by the use of the quick filling device 10 of this invention, it has been found that particularly satisfactory results can be obtained by the use of an air-hydraulic pump of the type disclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 388,312, filed October 26, 1953, now Patent No. 2,804,055, by Don R. Hill, deceased, and Ernest C. Chasser. types of pumps could be used similarly with equivalent results, and accordingly, this invention is not limited to the use of any particular type of air-hydraulic pump.

By the like token, no detailed description is believed necessary with respect to the construction of the ram 12, the reservoir 13, and the compressor 14; it being suflicient to note in this regard, that pressurized fluid enters the ram 12 through a line 24, while fluid emits from the reservoir 13 through line 25 as well as the previously discussed line 20. With regard to the structure of the air compressor 14, it is to be noted that the same has dual outlet lines 26 and 27, the former branching into lines 26a, 26b, while the latter (line 27) branches into lines 27a, 27b; with valves 28 and 29 respectively controlling the entrance of pressurized air into the lines 26 and 27. As shown in Figure 1, these lines 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b are arranged so that the lines 26a and 26b respectively connect to valve 23 and the quick filling device 10; while the lines 27a and 27b respectively connect with line 26 and the top of reservoir 13. A fluid line 30, leading from line 22 to diaphragm member 31 completes the hydraulic system.

Turning now to the structure of the quick filling device 10 per se, it will be seen from the drawings that the same comprises a block 40 having a main central bore that is generally designated by the numeral 41 and which ex tends between the opposed faces 40a and 40b of the block 40 to provide an axial passage therethrough.

For purposes to be described, this bore 41 is in reality defined by a plurality of bored, counterbored and threaded cylindrical surfaces, all of which are arranged concentrically about a common axis and which abut each other at their axial ends to define the overall passage 41. Movable axially of the bore 41, in a manner to be described, is a piston member 42 that has the head portion 43 thereof reciprocal in bore 44, while a ball mem' ber 45 that is secured to the opposite axial end thereof,

It is to be understood, however, that other .3 moves between the full and chain-dotted line positions of Figure 2 to seat and unseat, with respect to an annular seat 46. Springs 47 and 48 coact respectively against the piston head 43 on the ball 45 to continuously urge piston 42 to the closed position as shownin chain-dotted line position of Figure 2.

In order thatthe piston head 43 will define with the bore 44 a closed chamber, the outer peripheral edge of the piston 43 is shown undercut as at 43a so as to receive therein an annular ring 49 that contacts the surface of the bore 44 to create an effective seal. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the bore 44 opens into the face 40b of the block member 40, and this opening of the bore 44 is shown closed off by the use of a circular plate 50 that is secured with respect to the face 4% by the use of bolts 51, 51, for example.

For the purpose of supplying pressurized fluid interiorly of the closed chamber defined by piston 43 and the bore 44, the plate 50 is shown provided with a threaded central aperture 52, within which is received the threaded end of the conduit member 261; which, in the preferred form of the invention, serves as a source of pressurized air. The opposite axial end of the block 40 is defined by the face 40a that is shown provided with a threaded bore 53, which is designed to receive the threaded end 24a of the conduit 24. In this regard, it is to be noted that the inward axial end of the threaded, portion 24a serves as a seat for the spring 48, so that the ball 45 is always urged to the left of Figure 2 with respect to the threaded end 24a.

The central bore 41 is further shown in Figure 2 as including a pair of threaded bores 54 and 55, and respectively receive the threaded ends 25a and 21a of the line members 25 and 21. In the preferred form of the invention, a concentric counter-bore 56 communicates the interior of the line 25 with a central counterbore 57 of the bore 41; while a similar concentric counter-bore 53 of smaller cross-section communicates the interior of line 21 with the relatively enlarged counter-bore 59 that is provided in the bore 41.

While the above described construction facilitates a quick filling of the ram member 12, as will be presently described, the improved quick filling device It further encompasses provision for the rapid draining of the ram member 12 after the same has been used. In the normal case, fluid flowing into the block 4! from line 24 would have to be discharged into line 21 and would thus return to the powermatic pump where the process of transferring the same to the reservoir 13 would be slow and time-consuming. To obviate such difliculties, fluid is by-passed from the conduit 21 into the conduit 25 for quick return to the reservoir 13, with a by-pass mechanism that will now be described.

As best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the bypass mechanism comprises a pair of horizontally disposed, cylindrical passages 60 and 61 that are sealed off at their free or open ends by plugs 62, 62. These openings and 61 may be disposed in the same vertical plane so as to lend themselves to interconnection by the use of secondary passages 63 and 64, with final drainage from the conduit 21 into the conduit 25 being obtained by the use of a vertical bore 65 that connects with the one end of the bore 61, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. As before, a plug 66 closes off the passageway 65 to fluid flow exteriorly of the block member 40.

To the end of controlling the flow of fluid between the passage 21 and the passage 25 during the prefilling operation, there is illustrated a diaphragm member 70 that has a needle valve 71 thereof seated against the juncture point of the passages 63 and 61, as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. This diaphragm 79 further includes a membrane element 72 that is connected to the opposed axial end of the needle valve 71 so as to be movable between the full and chain-dotted line positions 4 of Figure 3 with spring 73 normally urging the same into the chain-dotted line position. During operation of the quick filling device 10, the membrane member 70'will normally be depressed to the full line position of Figure 3 by the use of air supplied through line 30.

In addition to the aforementioned component parts, the bypass system further includes a pop-off valve generally indicated by the numeral 75, and which has a needle portion 76 normally blocking fluid flow through the passageway 64. In this manner, if the pressure in the line 21 becomes excessive the pressure in the line 64 will also become excessive, with the result that the needle portion 76 will unseat with respect to the passageway 64 to permit fluid to flow into the passage 61 for emission into line 25 to accordingly alleviate the pressure in the system.

In use or operation of the improved quick filling device, it will first be assumed that the component parts have been assembled as shown in Figure 1, and are operatively attached with respect to each other so that a prefilling operation may be commenced.

Commencement of such an operation may be initiated by supplying pressurized air in the conduits 26 and 27; it being assumed in this initial condition that the valve is closed. Such entrance of air through valve 28 will result in lines 26a and 26b being pressurized, with the result that the air pressure in line 26b will enter block 40 for entrance into the closed chamber at the left end of Figure 2. This will cause the piston 43 to be moved from the normal chain-dotted line position thereof to the full lineposition as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, it being noted that a similar movement of ball member 45 will occur to unseat the same with respect to annular seat 46.

At this time, low pressure fluid may be supplied to the counter-bore 59 through the line 25 and the counterbore 57, with such flow of fluid being initiated by opening the valve 29 provided in the line 27.

Fluid under low pressure entering the block 40 from line 25 will pass through the counter-bore 56 and enter the counter-bore 57. At this time, fluid will be prevented from moving to the left of Figure 2 as a result of the contact between the O-ring 49 and the peripheral surface of the bore 44. Instead, fluid will flow to the right past the unseated ball member 45 for entrance into the line 24 from whence it will flow into the ram to cause a prefilling of the same.

When it is desired to pressurize the above received fluid, it is merely necessary to open the valve 23, with the result that compressed air wil flow into line 22 to cause actuation of the air-hydraulic pump 11, with the result that fluid entering the pump 11 through line 20 will be ejected under pressure through line 21. The opening of the valve 23 will also result in the flow of compressed air through line 30, with the result that the membrane 72 of the diaphragm member 70 will be depressed to the full line position of Figure 3 to thus close off the passageway 63. It is apparent at this point that fluid under pressure will be passing through the line 21, and the force of this pressure, acting upon the surface of the ball 45, will overcome the air pressure against piston head 43 and cause the ball to move to the left of Figure 2 to the chain-dotted line position thereof, at which time the bore 41 will be closed to fluid flow to the left of the seat 46.

It is to be understood in this regard that a separate valve (not shown) could be interposed in line 26b to shut off the flow therein during the above pressurizing operation. Similarly, it is to be understood that the lines '26 and 27 could be rearranged so that valve 28 would control line 26b only while lines 27a, 27b and 2621, leading to valve 23 and reservoir 13 could be controlled by valve 29.

It will be noted that during the time that pressurized fluid is entering the block-40 through line 21 for emission under pressure into line 24, that fluid flow into the line 25 will be prevented in two ways. First the needle valve 71 of the diaphragm member 70 will be held in the full line position of Figures 3 and 4, with the result that the passageway 63 will be closed ofl to fluid flow; and additionally, line 64 will be closed by valve 75. The second point of seal-01f will occur at the point of sealing contact between the ball 45 and the annular seat 46, and it will thus be seen that during the time that fluid is being supplied through line 21 that a dual barrier is provided by the accumulator device for preventing the escape of pressure.

When it is desired to relieve the pressure in the hydraulic system, it is merely necessary that the valve 23 be closed, with the result that the supply of compressed air will be discontinued, both to the pump 11 and the diaphragm 70. The reduction of pressure in the line 30 will permit the spring 73 to raise the membrane 72 upwardly to the chain-dotted line position of Figure 3, with the result that the passage 63 will be open to fluid flow therethrough. Fluid flowing through the passage 63 will flow into the passage 61, thence into passage 65 for emission into line 25. Fluid entering the line 25 will of course at this time, return to the reservoir 13 for storage until a subsequent operation of the ram 12.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a new and novel type of quick filling device, operable to prefill a component part of a hydraulic system in a relatively short time. It has been shown how the interpositioning of this quick filling device between the source of pressure and the point of pressure application enables the user to reduce the amount of prefilling time to a minimum. It has also been shown how the improved prefilling device is additionally desirable in that the same includes a quick drain feature provided for by the use of the diaphragm member 70 in combination with the air pressure supplied as described, from the compressor 14.

In the preceding specification, specific recitation of certain component structures have been resorted to for the purpose of clearly and fully describing the invention. It is not intended that such specific recitation should limit the scope of applicants invention, and accordingly, it is to be understood that the specific description above recited is limited only to the reasonable scope of equivalence as recited in the following claims. Thus, where the terms compressed air and hydraulic fluid are used, it is to be understood that the same refer to any type of pressurized medium that could be conveniently substituted without change in structure. Similarly, while air pressure is employed against a piston head to cause diversion of fluid flow as has been described, it is apparent that other means could be employed to seat and unseat the valve member.

Accordingly, where indicated, modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof, or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve of the character described, comprising; a block having an axial passage therein; an outlet port communicating one axial end of said passage with the exterior of said block; a valve seat defined by said axial passage and located intermediate thereof; a valve head shiftable axially of said passage between seated and un seated contact with said valve seat; a first inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location falling between said valve seat and said outlet port; a second inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location disposed on the opposite side of said seat, whereby flow between said second inlet port and said outlet port is blocked when said valve is seated; means for normally retaining said valve in seated condition against the force of fluid entering said second inlet port; and by-pass means interconnecting said first and second inlet ports, whereby fluid in said passage may be diverted to said second inlet port through said by-pass means when said valve head is seated.

2. A valve of the character described, comprising; a block having an axial passage therein; an outlet port communicating one axial end of said passage with the exterior of said block; a valve seat defined by said axial passage and located intermediate thereof; a valve head shiftable axially of said passage between seated and unseated contact with said valve seat; a first inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location falling between said valve seat and said outlet port; a second inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location disposed on the opposite side of said seat, whereby flow between said second inlet port and said outlet port is blocked when said valve is seated; means for normally retaining said valve in seated condition against the force of fluid entering said second inlet port; by-pass means interconnecting said first and second inlet ports, whereby fluid in said passage may be diverted to said second inlet port through said by-pass means when said valve head is seated; and valve means interposed in said by-pass means, whereby fluid flow therethrough may be controlled.

3. A valve of the character described, comprising; a block having an axial passage therein; an outlet port communicating one axial end of said passage with the exterior of said block; a valve seat defined by said axial passage and located intermediate thereof; a valve head shiftable axially of said passage between seated and unseated contact with said valve seat; a first inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location falling between said valve seat and said outlet port; a second inlet port leading into said passage at an axial location disposed on the opposite side of said seat, whereby flow between said second inlet port and said outlet port is blocked when said valve is seated; means for normally retaining said valve in seated condition against the force of fluid entering said second inlet port; by-pass means interconnecting said first and second inlet ports, whereby fluid in said passage may be diverted to said second inlet port through said by-pass means when said valve head is seated; and valve means interposed in said by-pass means, whereby fluid flow therethrough may be controlled; said by-pass means including a fluid passage in said block; said valve means including a needle valve movable into and out of said fluid passage, whereby fluid flow through said line will be restricted.

4. The device of claim 3 further characterized by the fact that said fluid passage of said by-pass means includes pressure relief means, whereby excessive pressure in said fluid passage is prevented.

5. The device of claim 3 further characterized by the fact that said needle valve is operated by diaphragm means, with said needle being secured toa membrane portion of said diaphragm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 933,147 White Sept. 7, 1909 1,814,857 Rosle July 14, 1931 2,310,435 Jenkins Feb. 9, 1943 2,573,993 Sedgwick Nov. 6, 1951 

